We'll play in a bowl next season

[TheCusian]

Last year he went 20-36 with 4 TDs against Duke (win) and Louisville (loss) behind a competent OL. Any QB will be better behind a competent OL. My opinion is the jury is still out on just how good he can be.

Yep. That’s my point. Anyone who thinks they know his ceiling are not factoring in the OL problems the last two years. He def has obvious things to work on, but we’ve not seen him in an environment where he’s confident in his line play but for a couple of games.

 

[qdawgg]

How many games has Tommy started with a decent OL? Two years in a row we started with players in sub-optimal positions. He gets hurt. Last 3-4 games were gaining steam with the OL playing better and those players back in their proper spots or with a late change that helps.

Culpepper has far less physical tools compared to TD but he made the OL look less bad with far less sacks. There’s a lot more to being a QB than having a good arm and Culpepper helped show that giving TD a pass and blaming the OL for everything wasn’t accurate. The OL is still bad but a QB with more talent and the IQ of Rex would have made a difference just in the ND game.

 

[HRE Otto IV]

Culpepper has far less physical tools compared to TD but he made the OL look less bad with far less sacks. There’s a lot more to being a QB than having a good arm and Culpepper helped show that giving TD a pass and blaming the OL for everything wasn’t accurate. The OL is still bad but a QB with more talent and the IQ of Rex would have made a difference just in the ND game.

21 sacks the first 4 games and 17 the last 7 games. And most of those in the last 7 came from a true frosh QB being overwhelmed.

It isn't all on TD. With a backup QB in the opponent is more likely to play base and take less chances. That will help the sack numbers. Our coaches may have called different plays without TD which helped the sack numbers. Our OL likely improved which helped the sack numbers. Our WRs may have improved and been open more often which helps the sack numbers. But some of that improvement was the QB being able to get the ball out quickly.

In 2018 Dungey was sacked less often with the same OL. In 2019 Welch was sacked less often with the same OL. In 2019 Rex was sacked a crazy amount less often with the same OL.

Rex threw 16 passes those first two games and was sacked 0.0 times. TD was sacked 14 times the first two games throwing 46 passes. For the year Rex was sacked 11 times while getting off 190 passes. TD was sacked 20 times getting off 96 passes. Rex is not a good QB and has a ton of faults, but it is time we start recognizing TD's faults and stop putting all the blame on his teammates.

 

[HRE Otto IV]

Last year he went 20-36 with 4 TDs against Duke (win) and Louisville (loss) behind a competent OL. Any QB will be better behind a competent OL. My opinion is the jury is still out on just how good he can be.

He was bad last year against Duke. He went 6-15 105 yards. Louisville he had a good game until he got hurt. Had the D not been an embarrassment it is a different game.

 

[OttoinGrotto]

• WR - are AQ and Harris enough? Could a newcomer push for time?

While you never want to have to rely on true freshmen, I think one or more of the guys coming in could be an immediate contributor and have a Lemon/Harris like impact.

 

[Alsacs]

DeVito isn’t the answer unless he improves in the pocket A LOT.
He has a huge arm and is a tough kid.
We need a QB who can move inside the pocket and can make plays when the first read is covered.

I would be all over the transfer portal to a QB.
We need 2-3 QBs who can play next year.
DeVito can be the starter but we need actual depth at the position.

Yesterday’s game is an example why. If you gave us the BC backup QB that game is a lot more competitive.

 

[HRE Otto IV]

While you never want to have to rely on true freshmen, I think one or more of the guys coming in could be an immediate contributor and have a Lemon/Harris like impact.

We need a 3rd outside WR to step up. Whether it be someone on the current roster, a Frosh, or a transfer. We could also need to replace Hackett and/or Nykeim should they move on. I liked that we used Taj more inside the last few games. Would be easier to do that more often with that 3rd outside guy. And hopefully that 3rd guy is a down field threat.

 

[Bayside44]

DeVito isn’t the answer unless he improves in the pocket A LOT.
He has a huge arm and is a tough kid.
We need a QB who can move inside the pocket and can make plays when the first read is covered.

I would be all over the transfer portal to a QB.
We need 2-3 QBs who can play next year.
DeVito can be the starter but we need actual depth at the position.

Yesterday’s game is an example why. If you gave us the BC backup QB that game is a lot more competitive.

Agreed. I worry about recruiting kids from really far away as depth guys (Tex and JM) but hopefully we have real depth in our QB room. Our backup QBs minus 2018 have been inspirational stories, but we need actual competency now.

 

[HRE Otto IV]

DeVito isn’t the answer unless he improves in the pocket A LOT.
He has a huge arm and is a tough kid.
We need a QB who can move inside the pocket and can make plays when the first read is covered.

I would be all over the transfer portal to a QB.
We need 2-3 QBs who can play next year.
DeVito can be the starter but we need actual depth at the position.

Yesterday’s game is an example why. If you gave us the BC backup QB that game is a lot more competitive.

We put Book under a lot of pressure. But he was able to move around the pocket and beat us with his arm or his legs. The NC State QB did similar last week. In today's game it is a requirement of the QB. We don't have that.

 

[TheCusian]

Culpepper has far less physical tools compared to TD but he made the OL look less bad with far less sacks. There’s a lot more to being a QB than having a good arm and Culpepper helped show that giving TD a pass and blaming the OL for everything wasn’t accurate. The OL is still bad but a QB with more talent and the IQ of Rex would have made a difference just in the ND game.

Yeah, Rex showed the ability to make the quick read and get the ball out. He also threw way more picks and fumbled away two games. Using QB IQ and Rex is a touch funny after last weeks final series, though.

Tommy got the yips and doesn’t trust the line. Some of that is on him, some of that is from well-earned missed blocks by his OL.

Back to my original point. How do we know what Tommy would do with the line Rex played with yesterday?

 

[Cusefan69]

While you never want to have to rely on true freshmen, I think one or more of the guys coming in could be an immediate contributor and have a Lemon/Harris like impact.

I think Alford and Williams see allot more action for us next year. Hendrix as well. I would expect an uptick in WR performance next year.

 

[TheCusian]

While you never want to have to rely on true freshmen, I think one or more of the guys coming in could be an immediate contributor and have a Lemon/Harris like impact.

Alford has the look. I’m amped for that kid.

 

[qdawgg]

Yeah, Rex showed the ability to make the quick read and get the ball out. He also threw way more picks and fumbled away two games. Using QB IQ and Rex is a touch funny after last weeks final series, though.

Tommy got the yips and doesn’t trust the line. Some of that is on him, some of that is from well-earned missed blocks by his OL.

Back to my original point. How do we know what Tommy would do with the line Rex played with yesterday?

Maybe read my post again. The fact you mention Rex’s picks as if I hadn’t factored that in or didn’t mention it means you again fail to actually try to get the point of my post and just react to someone not blaming all TD’s issues on OL play.

 

[GoSU96]

We put Book under a lot of pressure. But he was able to move around the pocket and beat us with his arm or his legs. The NC State QB did similar last week. In today's game it is a requirement of the QB. We don't have that.

didnt deVito do the same thing the game he got hurt

he‘s plenty athletic enough

the emphasis on the quick game and designed rollouts was not in the offense at the beginning of the year,

 

[MSOrange]

I think Alford and Williams see allot more action for us next year. Hendrix as well. I would expect an uptick in WR performance next year.

Agree about Alford and Williams. but I will have to see it to believe it that Hendrix can be healthy for any length of time. I feel horrible for Ed, but it's a trend now.

 

[HRE Otto IV]

didnt deVito do the same thing the game he got hurt

he‘s plenty athletic enough

the emphasis on the quick game and designed rollouts was not in the offense at the beginning of the year,

No he wasn’t doing those things which is why many have lost faith in him. Has nothing to do with athleticism.

 

[syrBossHogg]

8 feels really optimistic to me.

7 feels rightish. Hopefully 6 is a safe expectation.

I'm assuming the schedule lines up the way originally planned.

Yeah it's too early to tell but I could see next year playing out like 2012.

 

[Scooch]

Yep. That’s my point. Anyone who thinks they know his ceiling are not factoring in the OL problems the last two years. He def has obvious things to work on, but we’ve not seen him in an environment where he’s confident in his line play but for a couple of games.

My concern is that an SU OL is never great. Best we can usually hope for is adequate. TD is going to need to be a playmaker that can make things happen when protection breaks down. Every great SU QB I’ve ever seen had his skill.

 

[Cusefan69]

My concern is that an SU OL is never great. Best we can usually hope for is adequate. TD is going to need to be a playmaker that can make things happen when protection breaks down. Every great SU QB I’ve ever seen had his skill.

Agreed. We have not had an above average oline in a loooooong time, let alone average. That's why a playmaker at QB is so important.

 

[RandomGuy]

If TD were ND's QB today he gets sacked 8 times and has 4 WR drops. Sound familiar? Sometimes the QB needs to make plays.

We allowed only 17 sacks the last 7 games of the season. So how much does the pass blocking need to improve?

Ran for 3 yards on 25 attempts, last week.

 

[GoSU96]

My concern is that an SU OL is never great. Best we can usually hope for is adequate. TD is going to need to be a playmaker that can make things happen when protection breaks down. Every great SU QB I’ve ever seen had his skill.

Other than Ryan Nassib, who was much less mobile than Devito.

All the line needs to be is in shape, have two or three guys backing up without much if any fall off, and be average in performance.

There is enough talent at RB and yes even at WR, that if they can get back to spreading the field and going fast Devito has the arm talent to distribute the ball and make plays down field.

 

[OttoinGrotto]

My concern is that an SU OL is never great. Best we can usually hope for is adequate. TD is going to need to be a playmaker that can make things happen when protection breaks down. Every great SU QB I’ve ever seen had his skill.

I think DeVito improved a ton as a scrambler getting positive yardage this season.

He struggled a lot when he scrambled and tried to pass. He has room to get better there. I think he can. I also think his WRs could do a whole lot more when things break down to get open, seems like there's a lot of breaking off routes and standing.

Will we have a guy at WR with a head wired in a way that when the play breaks down he gets excited because he knows he's going to make something happen?

 

[HRE Otto IV]

I think DeVito improved a ton as a scrambler getting positive yardage this season.

He struggled a lot when he scrambled and tried to pass. He has room to get better there. I think he can. I also think his WRs could do a whole lot more when things break down to get open, seems like there's a lot of breaking off routes and standing.

Will we have a guy at WR with a head wired in a way that when the play breaks down he gets excited because he knows he's going to make something happen?

He did do a better job a running this year. At no point did he slide around and look for a pass throw. Whenever he gave up on the pass/OL he tucked the ball. Even when he was out of the pocket and still behind the LOS the ball was tucked which means there was zero chance of a pass even if he saw someone. I think he can still improve in this aspect and will improve in this aspect. The question is how much can he improve by next year? That is why I think 2022 is really his best chance of being special. IMO he has too much to improve on to get it all right in one season.